Migori County staff with fake certificates to face disciplinary action

In April this year, EACC said 1, 337 investigation files involved those who forged their degree, diplomas, and form four certificates. [iStockphoto]

More than 25 Migori County staff who submitted their resignation letters after being found with fake academic certificates are not off the hook yet.

The county rejected the resignation letters and directed that the staff face disciplinary action.

County Secretary Oscar Olima said the staff must go through ongoing disciplinary process that will determine the next course of action.

"We have not accepted any resignation. When an employee is found on the wrong side of the law, they have to go through the full process of discipline. In the case of fake certificates, if somebody was found in that manner, the way out is not resigning," Olima said.

An audit by the Kenya National Examination Council revealed that 93 county staff had forged Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) to secure employment.

The council scrutinised academic papers for more than 2,700 county staff.

Consequently, Governor Ochilo Ayacko's administration removed the 93 staff from the county payroll.

"Every single one found to have fake certificates, we instantly remove them from the county payroll. None of them is on the county payroll. Should we find any reason, we can just return them," Olima said.

Out of the 93 staff found to have fake academic papers, more than 25 tendered their resignation letters.

Olima maintained that they would not accept any resignation.

"A resignation is not a shortcut. The disciplinary process is on and we will go to the full extent of it," he said.

The 93 employees risk being dismissed from public office and face arrest should they be found culpable.